Laura is an experienced advocate, appearing as lead counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia and the Federal Courts, as well as before administrative tribunals. She has significant expertise in the arbitration of complex disputes, and regularly advises clients on all aspects of arbitration proceedings, including drafting arbitration clauses, interim orders, hearing processes and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Laura's arbitration experience includes both international and domestic institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. Laura is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Laura also has substantial experience in the area of Aboriginal Law and maintains an advisory and risk management practice that involves counseling clients on First Nations issues that impact their resource and other development projects.

SELECT EXPERIENCE

Complex Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

Successfully defending a claim brought against a vendor corporation for a C$17-million brokerage fee arising from the sale of a business following a 43-day trial

Successfully defending class actions brought against major retailers and financial industry participants, including dismissal at the certification stage

Acting as litigation and arbitration counsel in a wide range of shareholder disputes

Major Projects Litigation and Arbitration

Acting as arbitration counsel in a dispute involving delay and disruption claims in connection with the construction of energy infrastructure

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Laura currently sits on the Editorial Committee of Bar Talk, a publication of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). She is a member of the CBA's Legislation and Law Reform Committee and co-chair of the executive of the CBA's International Law Section.

In addition to her extensive involvement with the CBA, Laura is a member of the Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners and the Young International Arbitration Group of the London Court of International Arbitration.

Laura regularly speaks at legal conferences and contributes her time as a guest instructor on topics related to civil procedure. Laura is also active in the Vancouver arts community and the past president of the board of directors of the Touchstone Theatre Society.

EDUCATION

Admitted to the British Columbia Bar - 2008 J.D., University of Victoria - 2007 B.A. (Class 1 Distinction), University of British Columbia - 2004